New Thoughts on …

The Teachings of Jesus, by Rev. Glenn Chaffin, is currently available for purchase on Amazon.com. It is the first in the New Thoughts on … series. Other titles in the works will provide commentary on the Science of Mind teachings, as well as the teachings of Jesus, the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Rev. Chaffin’s unique perspective on New Thought philosophy, principles and practices.

Like the books, this site is a work in progress. Please check back for updates and improvements.

Basic Ideas

New Thoughts on an Ernest Holmes classic: The Basic Ideas of the Science of Mind

Review the Basics

The Basic Ideas of the Science of Mind was Ernest Holmes’ first weekly home study course.
Rev. Chaffin’s commentary on this classic material will renew your understanding of the basic ideas!

Love & Judgment

Two views of one Reality: a new perspective founded on the teachings of Jesus and New Thought principles

Respect

What do you see when you take a second look? Be it Oneness or Duality, our view of reality determines our consciousness and our experience of Life and the living. If you love, you need not judge.

Affirmative Prayer

Affirming the Truth of one's Self, while accepting the facts of every facet of one's life.

Change Your Mind

The practice of affirmative prayer is predicated on a single premise: Perfection. With samples and examples, this book replaces the old idea that nobody is perfect with a new thought.

Creative Thinking

New Thoughts on consciousness, conscious thinking and being conscientious.

Conceptualization

Our self-concepts are the seeds of thought we sow, and then reap as our experience of Life. Gather some new thoughts on an old analogy.

Books in the works:

A working draft of Rev. Chaffin’s current writing project will be featured on this web site while it is being revised, edited and prepared for publication. Students of New Thought are welcome to read along and provide feedback. Once the book is published no portion of the text will be available to read on this site.

Ernest Holmes suggests in the Introduction to The Basic Ideas of Science of Mind that we study this philosophy to learn how to have:
1. “… an understandable, permanent, and dependable relationship with God.”
2. “… happiness, health, prosperity and a more satisfactory way of living.”
The Science of Mind philosophy provides a way to relate to Life and a way to think about our experiences in life. If there is something else you are seeking, something other than a more satisfactory relationship with God, you should look elsewhere. Do not confuse enthusiasm with excitement. Things may excite you, but the enthusiasm that inspires, motivates and fulfills you results from an inner realization. If you are seeking the benefits of a more satisfactory relationship with God, then begin within.

Jurisprudence is the knowledge, science or philosophy of law; and a prudent jurist is one who has the wisdom to see what is virtuous in the law and how it can be of benefit. If one believes in a Law of God, or a God of Law, then one’s religion must also be a science or philosophy of law, and the wise application of it by prudent people. I have for many years endeavored to present my religious views in this light, recommending that it would be prudent and wise to no longer engage in judgment; but this has proved to be a fools errand. Those who judge don’t wish to give up their ‘elevated’ position in life, their high seat of judgment. It seems that the offended think it wise to take the high ground. On the other hand, those who are judged won’t give up their defensiveness. They too claim the moral high ground. No one is willing to surrender the positions they find themselves in, not even an offensive position that is not easily defended. Who can blame them? Well, I for one can’t; and I guess that is where an end to judgment must begin – within each one of us.

An affirmation is 100% true, now. If it is not, then it is a hope, a wish, a dream… We must affirm the Truth of an Infinite Good, an Infinite God, within us and then accept the expression and experience of that good.

“Prayer that craves a particular commodity, — any thing less than all good, — is vicious. Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good. But prayer as a means to effect a private end is meanness and theft. It supposes dualism and not unity in nature and consciousness. As soon as the man is at one with God, he will not beg. He will then see prayer in all action. The prayer of the farmer kneeling in his field to weed it, the prayer of the rower kneeling with the stroke of his oar, are true prayers heard throughout nature, though for cheap ends”.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

Realizing that the attempt to define ‘God’ can never be more than an expression of the finite limits of our understanding, New Thought philosophy makes the fundamental assumption that God is infinite. This simplifies our theory by unifying all as one. We do not think of God and …, but of God as …
‘This and that’ refers to two, duality.
‘This as that’ refers to one, universality.
If one is infinite, there cannot be two. If God is infinite, then there cannot be God and anything else. There cannot be the life of God and the life of man, or a God and a Devil, a power of good and a power of evil. If reality is infinite, there cannot be two realities. There cannot be a spiritual reality and a physical reality, a light and a darkness, a positive and a negative reality.
There can be a positive reality and the negative expression (repression) of it.
There can be light and the lack of light (shadows).
There can be a spiritual reality and the physical expression of it.
There can be an infinite God, a finite good and a diminishing expression and experience of good (evil).

Book Features

Available exclusively on Amazon.com

Available in print or Kindle format

Kindle e-books are indexed and fully searchable to facilitate study

Books are printed on quality paper and are perfect bound

Content is well edited, carefully considered, and represents the culmination of the authors fifty years of New Thought study and teaching

Pre-Viewers Reviews

Thanks Rev. Chaffin, I do so appreciate your fantastic work. Be Blessed by God and Life.

Rev T

So love your writings …… You are such a blessing!

B. M.

I have read and re-read your notes. I am almost getting it. I will continue to read and study it. What I want to say right now is “thank you.” Also, ….. Wow! In appreciation …

M. B.

Thank you for the wise words.

C. E.

As always, your words resonate with me and inspire me. Thank you for all your continued work with New Thought.

J. I.

New Thought Study

This site provides new thoughts on the teachings of Jesus, the wisdom of R. W. Emerson, and the writings of Ernest S. Holmes. These teachings will confront the delusional, inspire the disillusioned, and promote the practice of New Thought principles.